Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-09-02
Robert II. Lincoln md the Next Presi-


Inc daily papers ut eunesuay conLhlh-
ed a report of an interesting interview be
tween representative of the Toledo Blade
and Robert T. Lincoln The occasion of
the interview was the fact that the Blade
has taken an active part in favor of Mr..
Lincoln's candidacy on the Republican tick
ct next year and has lately taken a vote by
mail showing strong preference for him
in the west The report opens with this
description of Mr. Lincoln's personal ap-
pearance:
"Mr Lincoln is man approaching six
feet in height. of splendid physique, and
weighing probably POO pounds a CHEEKY
pleasant face. especially when in converse
ton, framed by brown hair and beard
genial and courteous in manner, with
touch of that bonhome so characteristic of
his father and altogether the sort Of man
il is pleasant to meet. In the plain, easy
fitting summer suit which he wore, it was
hard TO determine from his personal ap
pearance what his occupation might be
He certainly does not wear the professional
air of the old-school lawyer, and TO the eve
of stranger, as Mr. Lincoln passes along
the street. he would probably be classed as
a business man-perhaps one of the jovial
spirits of the Chicago board of trade. He
is a member of the firm of Isham, Lincoln
u Beale, having Il practice as good as that
of any firm i'll the city
Mr. Lincoln said at the outset of the con
versation that he simply could not accept
the nomination to the vice presidency, were
it rendered, " which he had no reason to
think it would be. When the interviewer
suggested that there was more likelihood
of his receiving the nomination for the first
than for the second place on the ticket, Mr..
| Lincoln modestly replied that he did not
| think so, and while he was gratihed at the
many pleasant things said of him he would
! if he could, put Il stop to all the talk about
| himself in connection with the next presi-
| dency IF could do this entirely and
forever he said, 81 should be happy 81
have seen too much of the wear and tear
of official life" he continued, 'to ever
have a desire to reenter it. Though l was
but boy when my father became Presi-
dent, can well remember the tremendous
burden he was called upon to bear. True,
the conduct Of the war made the cares of
the office then infinitely more exacting
but | have seen enough of the inside of
Washington official life to have lost all de
sire for it. The presidential office is but a
gilded prison The cares and worry out
weigh, TO my mind, the honor which sur
rounds the position II am now A, - he
went on refectively, and come Of long
lived ancestry. l may reasonably, / think
count on 20 or % years expectation of life
! wish nothing better than to spend those
years in my professional work"
The conversation led up to some affairs
Of public interest and policy, when Mr.
Lincoln expressed his regret at the abso-
lutely defenceless condition of our coasts
He said that during the diplomatic trouble
with Chill, while he was secretary of war
he was in trepidation for some time lest sh,
should send an iron-clad up the coast anC
exact a heavy tribute-millions of dollars
in fact-from San Francisco, under threa
Of laying the city in ashes, which she coulC
easily have done, Any of the great nava
powers of the world could do such thini
, along our Atlantic seaboard, for instance
in case of trouble. They would get tn
worst of il in the end to be sure, but GU
lack of a navy puts us at disadvantage
and herein our foreign policy lacks self-re
spect and a proper assertion of our nation
dignity and power.
On the tariff question Mr.. Lincoln avow
ed himself "a thorough protectionist, bu
he did not share in the hope entertain q
by some Republicans that a break ca
be made in the solid South on the pro
e lection issue 1t is true that southern man
h. ufacuuring industries are making a marve
5 Gus growth, but Randall and the Democrat
e Of his school are as good protectionists a
4 are the Republicans, and ''the souther
leaders can trust to the protectionist ell,
ment in their own party in Congress unit
ing with the Republicans TO prevent any
-, thing being done 10y the free trade wing
+ their party To injure southern manufactui
Y ing interests, and meanwhile will keep
j. sure grip upon the Offices"
a Mr.. Lincoln's expression in regard to ii
T. suppressed coored vote in the South, I
h which the interview next led, was positiy
e and explicit, though at the same time call
D. and moderate in tone, and appreciative
d the great difficulties which are involved
l. the southern question
/. There is a general denial that there
IS intimidation or fraud in the South, on Il
- part of the greater portion of the Dem,
cratic press. There is perhaps no bulldo
j ing, no kukluX outrages, no shotgun pra
r, tice upon negro voters hut this is becaui
Is the latter understand that they are not
d. exercise the right of suffrage and dare II,
# attempt it. If they did there would
trouble, and a recurrence of the shotgu
~ and hull-whip regime. ] have talked wit
u southern gentlemen who freely admittt
ID that this Is the actual state of things, bl
N they excuse themselves by declaring thu
"A the men who hold property will not allo
themselves To be taxed, nor will the white
~ allow themselves to be ruled bv ignoral
s, colored officials They also admit that the,
practically DISTINGUISHED citizens are repr
le scented in Congress by men elected SOLE
N 10y white votes, and that it is unfair 10 d
,r rest of the states but they throw the bu
le den back upon the Republican party, q
d. the plea that it enacted the legislation gi'
II ing citizenship and the ballot b the free,
rs men.
b. There Is much race prejudice still e.
~ listing IN the South, and these people vi
s not submit 70 be ruled 10y class Of vote
b. whom they regard as utterly inferior III
A. southern problem Is a most difficult ON